Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Green Sandpiper is a small wader with dark brown upperparts, contrasting with a white rump and tail. Its underparts are white, and it has a distinctive dark green sheen on its wings in good light.
In breeding plumage, it shows more prominent white spotting on the upperparts. Juveniles are similar to adults but have buff-edged feathers on the upperparts, giving them a scaly appearance.
Size
Length
21cm to 24cm
Wingspan
41cm to 46cm
Weight
50g to 110g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Green Grey
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Olive
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Green Sandpipers inhabit various freshwater habitats, including small ponds, streams, and marshes. They breed in northern Europe and Asia, from Scotland to eastern Siberia.
During winter, they migrate to southern Europe, Africa, and Asia. In the UK, they're more commonly seen during spring and autumn migrations, with some overwintering in southern regions. The lowlands of Wales, southern and central England, and southern Ireland are some of the best places to see them.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Green Sandpiper. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons